BMW has taken the 420cc parallel-twin from its F 450 GS, stripped away the adventure-bike clothing and turned it into a sporty little naked.
Meet the new F 450 R. And, on paper at least, it looks like a tasty bit of kit for A2 riders. The 420cc twin produces the full 48bhp allowed by the A2 licence, along with 43Nm of torque, and gets a 135-degree crankpin arrangement and balance shaft to give it a bit more character than your average small-capacity twin. BMW reckons 80 per cent of the available torque is already on tap at 3,000rpm, so it should have plenty of shove where it matters on the road.
More importantly, the F 450 R tips the scales at just 175kg ready to ride. That’s not exactly featherweight by old-school standards, but combined with a short wheelbase and road-focused chassis, it should make for a properly playful machine. The chassis is based around a tubular steel frame with the engine acting as a stressed member, while suspension duties are handled by a 43mm KYB USD fork and directly mounted rear shock. Go for the Sport suspension and you get extra adjustment at the front, too.
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Braking comes courtesy of a 310mm front disc and four-piston Brembo monobloc caliper, while BMW has thrown the electronic kitchen sink at it. ABS Pro, traction control, engine-brake control and Dynamic Brake Control are all standard, alongside Rain, Road and Dynamic riding modes. There’s plenty of gadgetry, too. A 6.5-inch TFT, LED lighting and USB-C are standard, while pricier versions get Shift Assistant Pro. The range-topping M Sport with Innovation Package also gets BMW’s Easy Ride Clutch, allowing clutch-free starts and gear changes.
Four versions will be available, from the base model through Exclusive and M Sport variants to the full-fat M Sport with Innovation Package. With styling clearly influenced by the S 1000 R, 48bhp on tap and a claimed 350km-plus range, the F 450 R could be exactly the sort of lightweight, accessible naked BMW has been missing.
It’s expected to hit the dealers in May 2027, with pricing as follows:
Base – £6,395.00
Exclusive – £6,645.00
M Sport – £6,770.00
M Sport ERC – £6,995.00
